Facilities
Textile Research
Textile chemistry and conservation research laboratories are well equipped with the latest, well-maintained instruments.
A dedicated textile and apparel research laboratory has an adjacent temperature and humidity controlled environmental chamber.
The new Protective Clothing and Equipment Research Facility, which has recently received substantial funding through the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, will broaden the scope of thermal protective testing and research capabilities conducted in our department. Further collaboration with industry and government will be enhanced in the development of innovative protective materials, test protocols and equipment.
This unique facility includes:
- An enhanced flash fire/instrumented mannequin facility
- A mass loss calorimeter; high temperature oxygen index analyzer; high speed imaging camera
- A sweating torso, sweating guarded hot plate, and new water vapour diffusion system
- Electrostatic equipment: charge generation, electrical resistance, and charge decay
- Protective material development: Computer-driven dobby weaving machines for 3-D weaving
Design Studios
Studios are spacious and well-equipped for work in surface design and computer-aided design. Students focusing on apparel design have access to sewing machines, sergers, and industry-standard dress forms. Professional quality back-drops and lighting are available in-house for documenting design work.
Focus Group Research Suite
Our social science research suite provides space for conducting and teaching focus groups, in-depth interviews, and observational and survey research. We are equipped with up-to-date recording equipment, and technicians are available for technical assistance.
Clothing and Textile Collection
This collection, founded in 1972, holds more than 23,000 artifacts spanning more than 350 years of history. The collection includes clothes for men, women, and children from different continents as well as artifacts related to the production and embellishment of textiles and clothing. This teaching and research collection is available by appointment.
Other
Students and staff have extensive access to additional research facilities though collaborations with other Faculties and Institutes on and off campus. These include the Departments of Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering, the International Institute for Health Promotion Studies, the Population Research Laboratory, and Statistics Canada.